Kiran Rao on bond with Aamir Khan post their divorce: 'We wanted to remain a family but not be married'

Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao announced separation after 15 years of marriage. In a joint statement, the couple declared their decision to officially divorce each other after an interim of planned separation. In an interview with Connect FM, the filmmaker gearing up for _Laapata Ladies_ , spoke about the bond they share post their divorce and said, “It came naturally to us because we started off working together, and even after we became partners, we continued working together. We understand each other in a way that goes beyond just the marital relationship. We are creatively very close. We also share similar opinions on many issues.” She added, “We wanted to remain a family but not be married. So we just made our own rules. I don’t think relationships can be given social tags. This just happens to be unusual for people—that two divorced individuals want to continue working together, live in the same building, have meals often, etc. I would not have been happy if the dissolution of our marriage had resulted in the end of our relationship.” The couple announced that they would continue working as collaborators on projects, films, and the Paani Foundation. They thanked their beloved well-wishers, family and friends for their continued backing and concern in their marriage. They also said that they would love for the people around them to consider the divorce, not as an end, but a beginning towards something new.

Khan and Rao first met on the sets of Lagaan (arguably Khan’s biggest blockbuster to date). Rao was an assistant director on the film. The two got married on 28 December, 2005. This was Khan’s second marriage after his relationship with Reena Dutta. The actor even has two children, Junaid and Ira, from his first marriage.